It also wants the court to decide that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms applies to doctors, and order the government to negotiate in good faith before taking unilateral action like cuts.

The organization that represents 25,000 Ontario physicians says the government's demand for a two-year wage freeze amounts to a pay cut for doctors, and wants the province to agree to a conciliator.

Health Minister Deb Matthews ducked an NDP question asking if she would agree to have a conciliator to help the province and doctors reach a deal.

"I'm confident we'll get back to the negotiating table soon," Matthews told the legislature.

The OMA said it decided on court action after it became clear the government "has no intention" of bargaining in good faith.

"It is deeply disappointing that the government has devalued the role of physicians to the point where we are forced to take such a drastic step," said OMA president Dr. Doug Weir in a release.

"The McGuinty government continues to choose politics over patients. Their stubbornness will have a negative impact on patient care, and puts at risk our ability to recruit and retain physicians in Ontario."

The Liberal government wants about 1.3 million public sector workers in the province to agree to a two-year pay freeze to help trim a $15 billion deficit.